The Response of the Cervical Spine to Axial Loading: Feasibility for Intervention

We present a two part study. The first part deals with the mechanics of cervical spine injury and the injury mechanism. We have established the parameters of a head first impact situation which gives rise to catastrophic cervical spine injuries. We have examined the parameters of head acceleration, time, neck and head force, and neck and trunk displacement associated with such injuries. We will present data on several types of football helmets, and show what alteration in the mechanics of injury can be expected from a helmet.

The second part is the study of injury parameters which may be useful in analyzing the efficacy of proposed protective devices. One such device, a collar air bag, will be presented and its performance criteria will be evaluated.